Food and Nutrition for Older Adults

Grocery programs and food pantries provide supplemental bags of groceries to older adults and adults with disabilities.  

Mercy Brown Bag

The Mercy Retirement & Care Center’s Brown Bag Program provides a bag of supplemental groceries twice a month to eligible low-income seniors. The bags are distributed throughout Alameda County. Normally the bags consist of bread, fresh produce, assorted canned foods & other items depending on availability.

COVID-19 Update: Bags are either dropped off at a local site for no-contact pick up or delivered directly to your home. To register and for pickup site or home delivery information, call: 510-534-8540 ext. 369

Alameda County Community Food Bank 

Partners with local food pantries, hot-meal programs, senior centers and other non-profits throughout Alameda County to distribute food. To find a location to pick up groceries or a hot meal, community members can call the Food Assistance Helpline at 510-635-FOOD (3663) or visit  FoodNow.net or ComidaAhora.net.

City of Alameda Food Bank (serves City of Alameda residents)

Food distribution and food pantry information, call 510-523-5850.

Project Open Hand (Oakland Office) 

Wellness Programs serves the sick and vulnerable who need food to support their medical treatment. Offers Medically-Tailored Meals, Fresh Groceries, Mobile Groceries, and Nutrition Counseling and Education. Contact 510-622-0221 for more information.

Tri-City Volunteers (serves Newark, Fremont, Union City residents)

Emergency Food Baskets and food distribution. For more information call Fremont office: 510-598-4068

Local Senior Centers

Contact your local senior center to find out if they offer groceries for their constituents.

There are several home-delivered meal programs in Alameda County. They deliver meals to older adults who are homebound and are unable to provide for themselves. Meals are provided Monday through Friday. There is a suggested donation, however services will not be denied if you are unable to make a donation.

The programs available for home delivered meals are listed below. Call your local program for more information.

COVID-19 Update: Older Adults, age 60 years and older, that are unable get out to obtain food, are eligible for home-delivered meals.

Alameda (City) Meals on Wheels 

City: Alameda
Phone: 510-865-6131
Email: alamedamealsonwheels@gmail.com
Serves: all ages

Albany Meals on Wheels 

City: Albany
Phone: 510-524-9122
Serves: age 60+

Berkeley Meals on Wheels 

City: Berkeley
Phone: 510-981-5250
Email: mealsonwheels@cityofberkeley.info
Serves: age 60+

Emeryville Meals on Wheels 

City: Emeryville
Phone: 510-596-4309
Serves: age 60+

LIFE ElderCare 

Cities: Fremont, Newark, & Union City
Phone: 510-894-0370
Serves: age 60+

J-Sei 

Cities: Emeryville, Berkeley, Oakland
Phone: 510-654-4000 ext.15
Email: kathleen@j-sei.org
Serves: Japanese style meals, age 60+

SOS Meals on Wheels 

Cities: Oakland, Piedmont, Hayward, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, Cherryland, Ashland, & San Leandro
Phone: 510-582-1263
Serves: age 60+

Spectrum Community Services

Cities: Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton & Sunol
Contact: 925-931-5385; 925-421-4657 (Livermore)
Serves: ages 60+

Group dining at senior centers and other locations all over Alameda County provide nutritious hot meals. Several sites serve meals Monday through Friday; however, some locations may have different schedules. 

COVID-19 update: Group dining sites have modified their operations in an effort to protect the health and well-being of older adults. As an alternative, group dining sites are offering either a “Grab and Go”, a meal delivery, or a “Drive-thru” option at this time. It is required to contact the program in advance to sign-up for a meal option. If you would like more information about how to enroll, contact the program directly. The Older Adult Nutrition Programs are listed below. 

Open Heart Kitchen

Sites: Dublin Senior Center, Pleasanton Senior Center and Livermore Senior Center
Reservation Line: 925-500-8241
Website: www.openheartkitchen.org

Spectrum Community Services

Serves: Alameda, Castro Valley, Hayward, Oakland, San Leandro, Union City
Click for the nearest site location
Reservation Line: 510-881-0300 x242
Website: www.spectrumcs.org/senior-services/senior-meals

Tri-City Cafés

Sites:
Albany Senior Center
Reservation Line: 510-524-9122

Berkeley Senior Centers
Reservation Line: 510-981-5170

Emeryville Senior Center
Reservation Line: 510-596-3730

J-Sei

Serves: Emeryville, Oakland, Berkeley
Japanese Style Meals
Reservation Line: 510-654-4000 x15
Website: https://j-sei.org/seniorservices/nutrition/